Burnham vows to tackle Britain's deepest issues, appeals for time
EWU•Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to address social care, housing and utilities, saying changes would take time and that public finances constrained near-term action. He outlined plans including a National Care Service and greater public control of water companies.
1. Long-term plans
Burnham told the Labour Party conference that his long-term priorities included more social housing, tackling the social care crisis, getting more of around 1 million unemployed young people into work and possibly bringing water companies under public control. He also said he would examine changing the first-past-the-post voting system and seek public support for a consensus on a future relationship with the European Union.
2. Funding and timing
Burnham said stretched public finances and the previous government's tax pledges limited what he could do in the near term. He said results could come after the next national election, due by mid-2029, and some changes could take 10 years. He said he would stick to fiscal rules to reduce borrowing and debt.
3. Care and water
Burnham said he planned to establish a National Care Service funded by changing the pensions triple lock, which guarantees an annual state pension rise based on whichever is highest among inflation, wage growth or 2.5%. He also promised to repeal a ban on public ownership of water companies, a change that would require legislation.
